A Court of Friends and Family

Part 2: An Unfortunate Day

2 months later . . .

What are you doing?  Rhysand's voice purred into her mind.

Brushing my hair,  Feyre shot back a bit haughtily. Just because I'm pregnant does not mean you need to keep constant tabs on me. She ran the brush through the length of her hair before piling it on top of her head in a bun. She did not have the energy to wash her hair.

Just making sure you're alright, Rhys's voice replied. Feyre knew he was, and as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, her belly just barely beginning to swell, Feyre thought of all the people that would rely on this child and the family that already loved it so much. Mor, Cassian, Azriel, Amren . . . Elain. Even Nesta, she hoped. When Feyre and Rhys had told them, they had all shouted and smiled. Cassian had grasped Azriel in the tightest hug and the poor shadowsinger, however happy at the news, looked a tad uncomfortable in Cassian's arms. He had quietly congratulated Feyre later.

Feyre let her hands wander across her hips and onto her stomach. She knew Rhys was more on edge than usual. They all were. The fact that she was pregnant at all was a big deal. She needed to be careful. Even if that meant relaxing what she did as High Lady a little, and letting Rhys show his overbearing mother hen side. Feyre laughed.

Where did you just go?  Her mate's question startled her from her mental wandering.

Oh, just thinking. I'm gonna get in the bath now. I'll be done in a bit. Rhysand stroked the bond in answer and Feyre climbed into the bathtub. As much as she understood his worrying, she found that she quite enjoyed playing little pranks on him sometimes. It was fun to see Rhys's face when he realized she had fooled him, and even better when Cassian was in on it. Feyre hadn't done it in a while though, as Rhys had been a little bit more on edge because of other issues right now. Some unrest amongst some Illyrian groups—no surprise, but still stressful—was just part of it. There were still some issues that would rise and fall with the humans, and the usual tension between courts. With the Spring Court still not what it used to be, it makes some trade and communication with the humans difficult. And Feyre still refuses to go to Tamlin's court. She didn't know if she ever would again . . . though she'd probably have to at some point. Ugh, Feyre thought. She let the bath wash away any thoughts of unrest.

Oh my gods, Rhys, Feyre shouted down the bond a while later. She could feel his entire body go tense.

What? What's wrong?  Rhys startled. Feyre laughed, and she heard Rhys take a deep breath. You have got to stop fucking with me like that, he finished.

Oh yeah? How would you like me to fuck with you?  Feyre replied as she washed her face.

Many ways, Feyre. But by the Cauldron, not like that. She could hear the cocky smile creeping back into his voice as she made to stand up and grab her towel. But something was actually wrong. And Feyre could feel it.

Rhys, she said down the bond as her hand went to her lower abdomen. A pain lacing across it.

Yes, Feyre? I'm reading, so please make it quick, he replied, with an air of sarcasm.

Something feels wrong, she said, bracing one arm on the towel rod, one foot still in the water.

I'm not falling for this again, Feyre, Rhys said distractedly. Maybe, she thought, she'd pranked him one too many times.

No, Rhys I mean it. Something feels wrong, she sent a strained reply back to him as she bent over a bit, her hand moving to the apex of her thigh. I'm bleeding. And it hurts. Feyre's reply this time held more of the pain and worry she was trying to keep out of her voice.